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News Feature

BrewerOriginally published in
Castine Patriot, July 24, 2014
Youngblood withdraws from Maine senate race Kim Rosen nominated to run by Republican caucus

Citing his advancing age and family concerns, Senator Ed Youngblood who represents Maine’s 8th District, announced he is withdrawing from November’s race.

Penobscot Bay Press file photo

by
Anne Berleant

Sen. Ed Youngblood (R-Brewer), who represents Castine and Penobscot as part of Senate District 8, has withdrawn his bid for reelection. He made the announcement on July 13.

“I’m suffering from the disease that hopefully most of us get: A-G-E,” he said in a recent phone call. He turns 75 next week.

While still with “lots of energy,” he cited the daily commute between Augusta and his home in Brewer as one issue leading to his decision.

Also, with 15 Republican senators and 17 joint committees, “there is only one representative of your caucus on your committee. When those bills get to caucus, you better know what’s going on….At the end of the [legislative] session, I’m very tired.”

Staying in Augusta during session is “ruled out” because of family reasons, as his wife recently suffered a stroke, but, he emphasized, she is doing quite well.

Kimberly Rosen will run for Youngblood’s seat in the November election, after she was the only candidate nominated by a Republican District 8 caucus held in Bucksport on July 20.

“I think the people deserve a person…who has the energy to do their homework and [attend] committee meetings,” Youngblood said.

Youngblood was elected to the Senate in 2012, but his was not a new face. He had served two terms beginning in 2000 before stepping down to help nurse his then-wife, who died of cancer in 2004.

Rosen has served four terms in the Maine House of Representatives, reaching her term limit in 2012. Her husband, Richard Rosen, is a former state representative and senator who now serves as the state’s acting commissioner of the Department of Administrative and Financial Services.